New BYD YangWang U8 Arrives As A 1,184 HP-Rated EV SUV

BYD's YangWang U8 SUVs has officially arrived in the Chinese market!

Months after launching into the Chinese automotive market, BYD’s luxury sub-brand YangWang has finally debuted its flagship EV SUV model, known as the U8. Arriving in two guises – Premium Edition and Off-road Master Edition – this body-on-frame EV SUV features rugged boxy design, while housing a bevy of tech and comfort amenities on board.

Thanks to its quad-motor setup, the U8 is truly a rapid EV SUV!

Focusing on the Premium Edition, the U8 underpins BYD’s cutting-edge e4 platform, with each of its four wheels getting their own individual motor. In total, this quad-motor setup is capable of delivering a whopping total system output of 1,184 HP (883 kW), enabling it to cruise from nought to 100 KM/H in a mere 3.6 seconds.

While its exact battery capacity remains unknown, BYD revealed that the U8 Premium Edition can support DC fast charging at only 110 kW rate, enabling this EV SUV to go from 30% to 80% in 18 minutes. In a single charge, the U8 boasts a maximum EV range of up to 1,000 KM, according to the CLTC cycle.

Aside from sheer power and decent EV range, this quad-motor setup also allows the U8 Premium Edition to have some unique driving skills like crab-walking, while its DiSuS-P hydraulic body control system enables the EV SUV to adjust its ride height up to 150 MM.

What’s more impressive is that not only the U8 Premium Edition can wade in a maximum depth of 1,000 MM, but there’s also a new emergency floating mode that essentially allows this EV SUV to ‘float’ for up to 30 minutes.

The U8 Premium Edition features boxy-tastic, Defender-esque chiseled body style

Visually, the YangWang U8 takes design cues and inspiration from several other luxury SUV models, notably the new Land Rover Defender. As a result, this EV SUV, especially in this Premium Edition guise, boasts a simple yet rugged-looking exterior design, with key design elements like its unique LED headlights layout, ‘floating’ roof design, and flared-out wheel arches, complemented by a slew of wheel options with sizes ranging from 20- to 22-inch.

Things are more posh as we get inside the U8 Premium Edition’s cabin. For starters, this Nappa leather-wrapped interior comes with a pair of massive 23.6-inch displays – one for the driver, one for the front passenger. They are joined by a smaller 12.8-inch portrait-oriented infotainment display that is placed just above the central stack.

Said premium Nappa leather material is laced with Sapele wood veneers, while premium features like 10-point massage function for rear seats, dedicated infotainment screen for rear passengers, fragrance diffuser, built-in mini refrigerator all help to elevate the poshness of the U8’s cabin. Wrapping up the cabin equipment list are a bevy of wireless smartphone chargers, a starlit sunroof, massive 70-inch head-up display (HUD) for drivers, and a 22-speaker premium audio setup.

For utmost safety, the YangWang U8 Premium Edition comes with over 38 sensors including three LiDAR units, 14 ultrasonic sensors, and over 16 cameras. All of these sensors work in-tandem to bestow the U8 with stellar ADAS performance, which includes functions like Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Parking Assist, and Automated Valet Parking, while Highway Driving Assist and City Navigation Autopilot will be available through future over-the-air updates.

Deliveries for the YangWang U8 Premium Edition is slated to begin next month in China, with pricing beginning at CNY 1.098 million (RM704,706 approx.). Meanwhile, the more rugged U8 Off-road Master Edition is poised to hit the market much later.

As for now, BYD has yet to iterate any plans to export the U8 or any one of its YangWang sub-brand products into the foreign markets. Should both marques decide to do so in near future, we’d reckon the YangWang U8 can pose a real threat to other more ‘established’ luxury SUV models available in the market.